The Office of Mercy

The Office of Mercy

By Ariel Djanikian

Part Brave New World, part Hunger Games, Ariel Djanikian has created the next new window into the potential of the future. The office of Mercy is a thrilling and probative novel ,which has the power to make you question the definition of mercy, the greater good and right versus wrong. In Natasha Wiley we find a spirited young thinker who questions what the authorities enforce and society enacts or abides by, we can find ourselves. This is a very poignant work that is just as important, or relevant as Aldus Huxley’s Brave New World or Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. As young adults, we should be questioning the way the world is acting, the way we are progressing, what society is OK with and what we allow because it does not affect our lives in ay way. Bravo Ariel Djanikian, Bravo.

The Office of Mercy is a futuristic office of government that looks after the protection of one of America’s new settlements – America Five. The office carries out “mercy” for those on the outside. Three hundred years ago the world was a rough place where people struggled to acquire what was needed to survive. The Alpha’s or a young group of people took it upon themselves to wipe the slate clean, to start over. Violent and destructive, The Storm decimated the globe and created various pockets of survivors who live in structures build mostly underground. In these mini societies everything is provided from regenerative medical care, to food, clothing and living quarters. Employment is expected rather than rewarded with pay and is for the good of the settlement. Those who did not make it into the settlements banded together and continue to struggle for survival and with Natasha’s office doling out “mercy” in the form of fiery balls of death, it is harder than is should be…or is it? Natasha Wile, a 24 year stationed in the Office of Mercy finds herself at odds with those mercy killings and devises a way to change the status quo. Add to her newfound feelings of rebellion, her crush on her mentor, the most successful at handing out mercy, and sparks are sure to fly.

Djanikian’s style of writing is polished for her debut work and keeps a steady pace of thrill and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you anxiously await the fate of Natasha, the people of America Five and the Tribes on the outside. Huge revelations throughout the book ,work to spur Natasha in her question to change the hearts and minds of the settlement, as well as their definition of mercy. This is a great book for everyone – in a genre that breaks down normal barriers. Anyone of any gender, age and place in our modern day society can enjoy and learn from this book. A note of caution – you may not want to read this book before bed, you’ll find yourself glancing at the clock in disbelief as you read into the wee hours of the morning, caught up in Natasha Wiley’s quest to reform The Office of Mercy.